LONDON. – Just when Novak Djokovic’s troubling year looked like hitting another low, he salvaged his bid for a fourth successive Wimbledon title by coming back from two sets down to beat Italian Jannik Sinner in the last eight on Tuesday.
The Serbian top seed had looked in all kinds of trouble against the inspired 20-year-old after being outplayed for two sets but stormed back to win 5-7, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 and set up a clash with Britain’s surprise semifinalist Cameron Norrie.
In the end there was an air of inevitability about the outcome as the battle-hardened 35-year-old seized control to reach his 43rd Grand Slam semifinal and 11th at Wimbledon.
He also extended an unbeaten run at Wimbledon that goes back to 2017 and now stands at 26 matches.
Djokovic has not added to his 20 major titles this year after being deported before the Australian Open following a COVID-19 standoff and then losing to old adversary Rafa Nadal in the quarterfinals of the French Open.
He might even be barred from the US Open over his decision to shun a COVID vaccine but kept alive the prospects of facing Spaniard Nadal in Sunday’s Wimbledon final with a seventh career comeback from two sets down.
In women’s play, Tunisian third seed Ons Jabeur, the highest surviving seed, recovered from losing her first set to beat Czech Marie Bouzkova 3-6, 6-1, 6-1 and reach her maiden Grand Slam semifinal.
Since losing in the opening round at this year’s Roland Garros in a shock defeat, Jabeur has won 10 straight matches on grass, having arrived at the All-England Club with a title in Berlin in the lead-up.
Currently playing at her highest career ranking of second, Jabeur will next meet her friend — 103rd-ranked Tatjana Maria, who earlier beat fellow German Jule Niemeier, for a place in Saturday’s final.
Jabeur said it will be tough to play against her “barbecue buddy” Maria, who returned from maternity leave only last year after giving birth to her second daughter and reached her first major semifinal at the 47th attempt.
